Endoscopic surgical clip applier

- COVIDIEN LP

A shaft assembly of an apparatus for applying surgical clips to body tissue includes a pair of jaws movable between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position, an elongated spindle, a shaft, a slidable member, and a pusher bar fixed to the slidable member. The slidable member is movable through longitudinally-extending channels of the spindle and the shaft. The pusher bar is configured to load a distal-most surgical clip into the pair of jaws during distal movement of the slidable member, via distal movement of the spindle, and remain in a distally advanced position during approximation of the pair of jaws.

Skip to: Description  ·  Claims  ·  References Cited  · Patent History  ·  Patent History
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/557,908 filed Sep. 12, 2017, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present application relates generally to surgical clip appliers. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to endoscopic surgical clip appliers having a clip pusher bar that maintains a surgical clip between jaws of the surgical clip applier during clip formation.

Description of Related Art

Endoscopic surgical staplers and surgical clip appliers are known in the art and are used for a number of distinct and useful surgical procedures. In the case of a laparoscopic surgical procedure, access to the interior of an abdomen is achieved through narrow tubes or cannulas inserted through a small entrance incision in the skin. Minimally invasive procedures performed elsewhere in the body are often generally referred to as endoscopic procedures. Typically, a tube or cannula device is extended into the patient's body through the entrance incision to provide an access port. The port allows the surgeon to insert a number of different surgical instruments therethrough using a trocar and for performing surgical procedures far removed from the incision.

During a majority of these procedures, the surgeon must often terminate the flow of blood or another fluid through one or more vessels. The surgeon will often use a particular endoscopic surgical clip applier to apply a surgical clip to a blood vessel or another duct to prevent the flow of body fluids therethrough during the procedure.

Endoscopic surgical clip appliers having various sizes (e.g., diameters) that are configured to apply a variety of diverse surgical clips are known in the art, and which are capable of applying a single or multiple surgical clips during an entry to the body cavity. Such surgical clips are typically fabricated from a biocompatible material and are usually compressed over a vessel. Once applied to the vessel, the compressed surgical clip terminates the flow of fluid therethrough.

Endoscopic surgical clip appliers that are able to apply multiple clips in endoscopic or laparoscopic procedures during a single entry into the body cavity are described in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,084,057 and 5,100,420, which are both incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. Another multiple endoscopic surgical clip applier is disclosed in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,607,436, the contents of which are also hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. These devices are typically, though not necessarily, used during a single surgical procedure. U.S. Pat. No. 5,695,502, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein, discloses a resterilizable endoscopic surgical clip applier. The endoscopic surgical clip applier advances and forms multiple clips during a single insertion into the body cavity. This resterilizable endoscopic surgical clip applier is configured to receive and cooperate with an interchangeable clip magazine so as to advance and form multiple clips during a single entry into a body cavity.

Sometimes prior to or during formation of the clip, the clip may be prematurely dislocated from between the jaws of the clip applier by, for example, the vessel being closed. Accordingly, a need exists for a clip applier having an improved mechanism that prevents clip dislocation during use.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, the present application provides an apparatus for application of surgical clips to body tissue. The apparatus includes a handle assembly and a shaft assembly selectively connectable to the handle assembly and actuatable upon actuation of the handle assembly. The shaft assembly includes a pair of jaws movable between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position, an elongated spindle, a first shaft disposed alongside the spindle, a slidable member, and a pusher bar having a proximal portion fixed to the slidable member. The spindle has a proximal portion configured to be coupled to an actuator of the handle assembly, and a distal portion operably coupled to the pair of jaws to selectively approximate the pair of jaws during distal movement of the spindle. The spindle defines a longitudinally-extending channel having a first portion, and a second portion extending at a non-zero angle relative to the first portion. The first shaft defines a longitudinally-extending channel having a first portion, and a second portion extending at a non-zero angle relative to the first portion of the channel of the first shaft. The slidable member extends through each of the channels, and a first distal movement of the spindle relative to the first shaft moves the slidable member with the spindle and through the first portion of the channel of the first shaft. A second distal movement of the spindle relative to the first shaft moves the slidable member with the spindle and into the second portion of the channel of the first shaft and the first portion of the channel of the spindle. A third distal movement of the spindle relative to the first shaft moves the spindle distally relative to the slidable member. The pusher bar has a distal portion configured to load a distal-most surgical clip into the pair of jaws during distal movement of the slidable member, via the first distal movement of the spindle, and remain in a distally advanced position during approximation of the pair of jaws.

In embodiments, the first portion of the channel of each of the spindle and the first shaft may have a linear configuration and extend parallel to a longitudinal axis defined by the spindle, and the second portion of the channel of each of the spindle and the first shaft may extend at a non-parallel angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the spindle.

It is contemplated that the shaft assembly may further include a second shaft disposed on an opposite side of the proximal portion of the spindle as the first shaft. The second shaft may be fixedly coupled to the first shaft and define a longitudinally-extending channel in mirrored relation with the channel of the first shaft. The slidable member may have a first end portion movably disposed within the channel of the first shaft, and a second end portion movably disposed within the channel of the second shaft.

It is envisioned that the first portion of the channel of the spindle may define a first plane, and the first portion of the channel of the first shaft may define a second plane offset from the first plane of the first portion of the channel of the spindle. A distal region of the second portion of the channel of the first shaft may be coplanar with the first plane of the first portion of the channel of the spindle.

In embodiments, the second portion of the channel of the spindle may have a proximal limit defined by a proximal wall. The proximal wall may be configured to contact the slidable member during the first distal movement of the spindle to distally move the slidable member relative to the first shaft.

It is contemplated that the second portion of the channel of the spindle may have a distal limit defined by a distal wall. The distal wall may be configured to contact the slidable member during proximal movement of the spindle relative to the first shaft.

It is envisioned that the first shaft may include a ramped inner surface that defines the second portion of the channel of the first shaft. The ramped inner surface may be configured to move the slidable member upwardly from the second portion of the channel of the spindle into the first portion of the channel of the spindle during the second distal movement of the spindle.

In embodiments, the slidable member may be axially restrained within the second portion of the channel of the first shaft during the third distal movement of the spindle, such that the pusher bar is axially fixed relative to the pair of jaws during the third distal movement of the spindle.

It is contemplated that the slidable member may ride within the first portion of the channel of the spindle during the third distal movement of the spindle.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a shaft assembly of an apparatus for applying surgical clips to body tissue is provided. The shaft assembly includes a pair of jaws movable between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position, an elongated spindle, a first shaft disposed alongside the spindle, a slidable member, and a pusher bar having a proximal portion fixed to the slidable member. The spindle has a proximal portion configured to be coupled to an actuator, and a distal portion operably coupled to the pair of jaws to selectively approximate the pair of jaws during distal movement of the spindle. The spindle defines a longitudinally-extending channel having a first portion, and a second portion extending at a non-zero angle relative to the first portion. The first shaft defines a longitudinally-extending channel having a first portion, and a second portion extending at a non-zero angle relative to the first portion of the channel of the first shaft. The slidable member extends through each of the channels, and a first distal movement of the spindle relative to the first shaft moves the slidable member with the spindle and through the first portion of the channel of the first shaft. A second distal movement of the spindle relative to the first shaft moves the slidable member with the spindle and into the second portion of the channel of the first shaft and the first portion of the channel of the spindle. A third distal movement of the spindle relative to the first shaft moves the spindle distally relative to the slidable member. The pusher bar has a distal portion configured to load a distal-most surgical clip into the pair of jaws during distal movement of the slidable member, via the first distal movement of the spindle, and remain in a distally advanced position during approximation of the pair of jaws.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A particular embodiment of a surgical clip applier is disclosed herein with reference to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a reposable endoscopic surgical clip applier including a reusable handle assembly and a shaft assembly connected thereto;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the handle assembly of FIG. 1 with at least a housing half-section removed therefrom;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the shaft assembly of the endoscopic surgical clip applier of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view, with parts separated, of the shaft assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a proximal portion of a spindle and left and right shafts of the shaft assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5B is a perspective view, with a left shaft shown in phantom, of a proximal portion of the spindle and a slidable member of the shaft assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view, with parts separated, of the spindle, the slidable member, and left and right shafts of the shaft assembly of FIG. 5B;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the proximal portion of the spindle and the slidable member of FIG. 5B, illustrating the spindle in a first, starting position;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the proximal portion of the spindle and the slidable member of FIG. 5B, illustrating the spindle in a second, staple loading position;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the proximal portion of the spindle and the slidable member of FIG. 5B, illustrating the spindle in a third, stapling forming position;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the proximal portion of the spindle and the slidable member of FIG. 5B, illustrating the spindle in a retracting position;

FIG. 11 is a side view of the proximal portion of the spindle and the slidable member of FIG. 5B, illustrating the spindle in a reset position;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view, with an outer tube removed, of a distal portion of the shaft assembly of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 13 is a schematic illustration of a robotic surgical system configured for use in accordance with the present disclosure.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of endoscopic surgical clip appliers and shaft assemblies thereof, in accordance with the present disclosure, will now be described in detail with reference to the drawing figures wherein like reference numerals identify similar or identical structural elements. As shown in the drawings and described throughout the following description, as is traditional when referring to relative positioning on a surgical instrument, the term “proximal” refers to the end of the apparatus which is closer to the user and the term “distal” refers to the end of the apparatus which is further away from the user.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, an apparatus for application of surgical clips to body tissue is illustrated and designated 10. The apparatus or surgical clip applier 10 generally includes a reusable handle assembly 200 and a disposable shaft assembly 100 operably coupled to the handle assembly 200. The handle assembly 200 includes a housing 202 having a first or right side half-section 202a and a second or left side half-section 202b. Housing 202 of handle assembly 200 further includes or defines a nose 202c dimensioned for receipt of a hub 130 of shaft assembly 100. Housing 202 of handle assembly 200 may be formed of a suitable plastic or thermoplastic material. It is further contemplated that housing 202 of handle assembly 200 may be fabricated from stainless steel of the like.

Handle assembly 200 includes a trigger 204 pivotably supported between right side half-section 202a and left side half-section 202b of housing 202. Trigger 204 is biased by a biasing member (not explicitly shown) to bias or urge trigger 204 to the un-actuated condition. Trigger 204 includes a drive arm 204b extending therefrom. Drive arm 204b may be integrally formed therewith or may be separately and fixedly secured to trigger 204. Drive arm 204b may define a curved, radiused or filleted upper distal surface.

Handle assembly 200 further includes a drive plunger 220 operatively connected to trigger 204. Drive plunger 220 defines a proximally extending trigger slot 220b formed in a proximal portion thereof for operatively receiving drive arm 204b of trigger 204. Trigger slot 220b defines a distal surface or wall 220c against which a distal surface of drive arm 204b of trigger 204 contacts in order to distally advance drive plunger 220 during an actuation of trigger 204. Drive plunger 220 has a distal end operably coupled to a proximal end of a spindle 124 (FIG. 5) of shaft assembly 100 to effect axial movement of the spindle 124 upon actuation of the trigger 204 of handle assembly 200.

For a more detailed description of the components and operation of the handle assembly 200 of clip applier 10, reference may be made to, for example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0128071, the entire contents of which being incorporated by reference herein.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the shaft assembly 100 of the clip applier 10 is operably coupled to the handle assembly 200 (FIGS. 1 and 2) for actuation by the handle assembly 200. The shaft assembly 100 stores a stack of surgical clips “C” therein and has a pair of jaws 120 configured to form, in seriatim, the surgical clips “C” received from a pusher bar 128 of the shaft assembly 100 upon actuation of the handle assembly 200. The shaft assembly 100 includes an elongated outer member or outer tube 122, an elongated spindle or inner shaft 124 axially movable within the outer tube 122 for actuating the clip applier 10, and a slidable member 126 movably coupled to the spindle 124 for axially translating the pusher bar 128 to load and hold the surgical clips “C” in the jaws 120 during clip formation, as will be described.

The outer tube 122 of the shaft assembly 100 has a proximal portion 122a supported and secured to a hub 130, and a distal portion 122b supporting the jaws 120. The hub 130 may be configured to be coupled to the handle assembly 200 (FIGS. 1 and 2) or an actuator of a robotic system 1000 (FIG. 13). The outer tube 122 defines a lumen 122c extending longitudinally therethrough dimensioned for slidable receipt of the spindle 124.

With reference to FIGS. 4-11, the spindle or inner shaft 124 of the shaft assembly 100 is slidably supported within the lumen 122c of the outer tube 122 and has a generally elongated configuration. The spindle 124 includes a proximal portion 124a, and a distal portion 124b configured to selectively actuate the pair of jaws 120 during distal advancement of the spindle 124. The proximal portion 124a of the spindle 124 may define a hook, an enlarged head or other translational force coupling feature configured to be coupled to an actuator (e.g., the drive plunger 220 of the handle assembly 200 or an actuator of the robotic surgical system 1000).

The proximal portion 124a of the spindle 124 defines an elongate channel 132 extending longitudinally along the spindle 124. The channel 132 of the spindle 124 is dimensioned for slidable receipt of the slidable member 126, and has a first portion or proximal portion 132a and a second portion or distal portion 132b extending at a non-zero angle relative to the first portion 132a. The first portion 132a of the channel 132 has a linear configuration and extends parallel to a longitudinal axis “X” defined by the spindle 126. The second portion 132b of the channel 132 extends from the first portion 132a of the channel 132 perpendicularly relative to the longitudinal axis “X” of the spindle 126. In some embodiments, the second portion 132b of the channel 132 may extend at any suitable angle relative to the longitudinal axis “X.” In embodiments, the second portion 132b of the channel 132 may be a notch extending laterally from the first portion 132a of the channel 132.

The proximal portion 124a of the spindle 124 has an inner surface 134 that defines the elongate channel 132. The inner surface 134 has a proximal wall 134a that defines a proximal limit of the second portion 132b of the channel 132, and a distal wall 134b that defines a distal limit of the second portion 132b of the channel 132. The second portion 132b of the channel 132 is dimensioned for receipt of the slidable member 126 during a first distal advancement of the spindle 124. The proximal wall 134a of the inner surface 134 is configured to push or urge the slidable member 126 distally therewith as the spindle 126 moves distally, and the distal wall 134b of the inner surface 134 is configured to push or urge the slidable member 126 proximally as the spindle 124 moves proximally, as will be described in greater detail.

With continued reference to FIGS. 4-11, the shaft assembly 100 further includes a pair of longitudinal half-sections or shafts 136a, 136b disposed on opposite sides of the proximal portion 124a of the spindle 124. The shafts 136a, 136b, when assembled, together may form a unitary tubular member that surrounds the proximal portion 124a of the spindle 124. The shafts 136a, 136b are fixed within the outer tube 122 of the shaft assembly 100, such that the shafts 136a, 136b remain axially fixed relative to the outer tube 122 during distal and proximal movement of the spindle 124 relative to the outer tube 122.

The first shaft 136a defines an elongate channel 138 extending longitudinally along the first shaft 136a and which is disposed adjacent the channel 132 of the spindle 124. The second shaft 136b also defines an elongate channel (not explicitly shown), similar to the channel 138 of the first shaft 136a. The channels 138 of the first and second shafts 136a, 136b are in mirrored relation to one another. The channel 138 of the first shaft 136a is dimensioned for slidable receipt of a first end portion 126a of the slidable member 126, whereas the channel of the second shaft 136b is dimensioned for slidable receipt of a second end portion 126b of the slidable member 126. Since the channels 138 of the first and second shafts 136a, 136b are in mirrored relation to one another, only the channel 138 of the first shaft 132 will be described in further detail herein.

The channel 138 of the first shaft 136a has a first portion or proximal portion 138a and a second portion or distal portion 138b extending at a non-zero angle relative to the first portion 138a. The first portion 138a of the channel 138 has a linear configuration and extends parallel to the longitudinal axis “X” defined by the spindle 124. The first portion 138a of the channel 138 of the first shaft 136a defines a plane that is offset (e.g., disposed above or below) a plane defined by the first portion 132a of the channel 132 of the spindle 124. The second portion 138b of the channel 138 bends or extends upwardly from the first portion 138a of the channel 138, and in some embodiments downwardly from the first portion 138a of the channel 138. In some embodiments, the second portion 138b of the channel 138 may bend or extend relative to the first portion 138a of the channel 138 and may have a linear configuration. In some embodiments, the second portion 138b of the channel 138 may have a curved configuration.

The second portion 138b of the channel 138 has a distal region 138c that is coplanar with the first portion 132a of the channel 132 of the spindle 124. In this way, when the slidable member 126 is disposed within the first portion 132a of the channel 132 of the spindle 124, the slidable member 126 is simultaneously disposed within the second portion 138b of the channel 138 of the shafts 136a, 136b. Similarly, when the slidable member 126 is disposed within the second portion 132b of the channel 132 of the spindle 124, the slidable member 126 is simultaneously disposed with the first portion 138a of the channel 138 of the shafts 136a, 136b.

With reference to FIG. 6, the first shaft 136a has an inner surface 140 that defines the elongate channel 138. The inner surface 140 has a ramped portion 140a that partially defines the second portion 138b of the channel 138 of the first shaft 136a. The ramped portion 140a extends upwardly from the first portion 138a of the channel 138 of the first shaft 136a and is configured to urge or cam the slidable member 126 upwardly into the distal region 138c of the second portion 138b of the channel 138 of the first shaft 136a as the slidable member 126 is moved distally by the proximal wall 134a of the spindle 124. As the ramped portion 140a cams the slidable member 126 upwardly into the distal region 138c of the channel 138 of the first shaft 136a, the slidable member 126 is also moved from the second portion 132b of the channel 132 of the spindle 124 into the first portion 132a of the channel 132 of the spindle 124.

The slidable member 126 of the shaft assembly 100 may be configured as a pin or bar having a first end portion 126a slidably disposed within the channel 138 of the first shaft 136a, an intermediate portion extending through the channel 132 of the spindle 124, and a second end portion 126b slidably disposed within the channel (not explicitly shown) of the second shaft 136b. As briefly mentioned above, when the slidable member 126 is simultaneously disposed within both the first portion 138a of the channel 138 of the shafts 136a, 136b and the second portion 132b of the channel 132 of the spindle 124, the slidable member 126 is axially movable relative to the shafts 136a, 136b in response to axial movement of the spindle 124 via the proximal and distal walls 134a, 134b of the spindle 124. In contrast, when the slidable member 126 is simultaneously disposed within both the second portion 138b of the channel 138 of the shafts 136a, 136b and the first portion 132a of the channel 132 of the spindle 124, the slidable member 126 is axially restrained within the second portion 138b of the channel 138 of the shafts 136a, 136b during axial movement of the spindle 124, whereby the slidable member 126 rides within the first portion 132a of the channel 132 of the spindle 124.

The shaft assembly 100 may include a fixed pin or rod 142 and a biasing member, such as, for example, an extension spring 143 (FIG. 4). The extension spring 143 has a proximal loop, and a distal loop having the sliding member 126 extending therethrough. The fixed pin 142 extends through a longitudinally-extending slot 133 defined by the proximal portion 124a of the spindle 124 and through the proximal loop of the extension spring 143. The slot 133 is disposed proximally of the channel 132 of the spindle 124. The fixed pin 142 has a first end portion fixed to the first shaft 136a, and a second end portion fixed to the second shaft 136b, such that the fixed pin 142 rides within the slot 133 of the spindle 124 during axial movement of the spindle 124. The proximal loop of the extension spring 143 is fixed to the fixed pin 142, and the distal loop of the extension spring 143 is fixed to the slidable member 126. As such, the extension spring 143 exerts a proximally-oriented force on the slidable member 126 to urge the slidable member 126, and in turn the pusher bar 128, toward a retracted position.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 12, the pusher bar 128 of the shaft assembly 100 has a proximal portion 128a, and a distal portion 128b for loading a distal-most surgical clip “DC” of the stack of surgical clips “C” between the jaws 120. The proximal portion 128a of the pusher bar 128 is fixed to the slidable member 126 so that the pusher bar 128 moves axially with axial movement of the slidable member 126. The proximal portion 128a of the pusher bar 128 may be fixed to the slidable member 126 via any suitable fastening engagement, such as, for example, various fasteners, adhesives, snap-fit engagements, or the like. Since the proximal portion 128a of the pusher bar 128 is fixed to the slidable member 126, axial movement of the slidable member 126 results in a corresponding axial movement of the pusher bar 128.

The distal portion 128b of the pusher bar 128 defines a pusher 144 configured to position the distal-most surgical clip “DC” between the pair of jaws 120 as the slidable member 126 is advanced toward a distal position, as shown in FIG. 9. The pusher 144 has a narrow profile for allowing the pair of jaws 120 to move to an approximated position while the pusher 144 is disposed therebetween. For example, the pusher 144 may have a width that is less than a horizontal distance the pair of jaws 120 are spaced from one another after completing a clip formation.

With continued reference to FIG. 4, additional components of the shaft assembly 100 responsible for effecting formation of the surgical clips “C” will be described. The distal portion 124b of the spindle 124 is operatively connected to a jaw cam closure wedge 146 via a slider joint 148. The jaw cam closure wedge 146 is selectively actuatable by the spindle 124 to engage camming features of the pair of jaws 120 to close the pair of jaws 120 and form a surgical clip “C” loaded therewithin. The slider joint 148 supports a latch member 150 for selective engagement with the spindle 124. The latch member 150 may be cammed in a direction toward the spindle 124 during actuation or translation of the spindle 124. In particular, during distal actuation of the spindle 124, at a predetermined distance, the latch member 150 is mechanically forced or cammed into and engaged with a slot in the spindle 124. This engagement of the latch member 150 in the slot of the spindle 124 allows the slider joint 148 to move together with the jaw cam closure wedge 146. The jaw cam closure wedge 146 thus can engage the relevant surfaces of the pair of jaws 120 to close the pair of jaws 120.

The slider joint 148 is connected, at a proximal portion 148a thereof, to a passageway formed in the distal portion 124b of the spindle 124. A distal portion 148b of the slider joint 148 defines a substantially T-shaped profile, wherein the distal portion 148b thereof is connected to the jaw cam closure wedge 146. The latch member 150 functions as a linkage and is disposed to move through an aperture 148c in the slider joint 148 to link with another fixed member and prevent the slider joint 148 from advancing the jaw cam closure wedge 146, and thus preventing the camming of the jaw cam closure wedge 146 from camming the pair of jaws 120 to a closed condition during an initial actuation of the clip applier 10. The distal portion 124b of the spindle 124 is provided with a camming feature configured to move a cam link 152 (pivotably connected to a filler component 154) in a perpendicular manner relative to a longitudinal axis of the spindle 124 during a distal advancement of the spindle 124.

The shaft assembly 100 further includes a clip channel 156 received within the outer tube 122. The clip channel 156 slidably retains the stack of surgical clips “C” therein for application, in seriatim, to the desired tissue or vessel. A clip follower 158 is provided and slidably disposed within the clip channel 156 at a location proximal of the stack of surgical clips “C.” A spring (not shown) is provided to spring-bias the clip follower 158, and in turn, the stack of surgical clips “C”, distally. A clip channel cover 160 is provided that overlies the clip channel 156 to retain and guide the clip follower 158, the spring, and the stack of surgical clips “C” in the clip channel 156.

The shaft assembly 100 further includes a wedge plate 162 that is biased to a proximal position by a wedge plate spring (not shown). The wedge plate 162 is a flat bar shaped member having a number of windows formed therein. The wedge plate 162 has a distal-most position wherein a tip or nose of the wedge plate 162 is inserted between the pair of jaws 120 to maintain the pair of jaws 120 in an open condition for loading of the distal-most surgical clip “DC” therein. The wedge plate 162 has a proximal-most position, maintained by the wedge plate spring, wherein the tip or nose of the wedge plate 162 is retracted from between the pair of jaws 120.

The wedge plate 162 defines a “U” or “C” shaped aperture or notch 162b in a side edge thereof. The C-shaped aperture or notch 162b of the wedge plate 162 selectively engages the cam link 152 supported on the filler plate 154. The cam link 152 selectively engages a surface of C-shaped aperture or notch 162b of the wedge plate 162 to retain the wedge plate 162 in a distal-most position such that a distal tip 162a of the wedge plate 162 is maintained inserted between the pair of jaws 120 to maintain the pair of jaws 120 splayed apart.

The filler component 154 of the shaft assembly 100 is interposed between the clip channel 156 and the wedge plate 162, at a location proximal of the pair of jaws 120. The filler component 154 pivotably supports the cam link 152 that is engagable with the wedge plate 162. During a distal advancement of the spindle 124, a camming feature of the spindle 124 engages a cam link boss of the cam link 152 to thereby move the cam link 152 out of engagement with the wedge plate 162 and permit the wedge plate 162 to return to the proximal-most position as a result of the spring.

It is contemplated that the clip applier 10 may be configured to close, fire, or form surgical clips similar to those shown and described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0128071, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,819,886 or 7,905,890, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

In operation, the clip applier 10 is actuated to effect a stapling function thereof. In particular, the handle assembly 200 (FIGS. 1 and 2) or a control 1004 of a robotic assembly 1000 (FIG. 13) is actuated to advance the spindle 124 of the shaft assembly 100 in a distal direction within and relative to the outer tube 122. As shown in FIG. 7, when the clip applier 10 is in an initial, un-actuated state, the slidable member 126 of the shaft assembly 100 is disposed in the second portion or notch 132b of the channel 132 of the spindle 124 and the first portion 138a of the channel 138 of each of the first and second shafts 136a, 136b.

During a first distal movement of the spindle 124, in the direction indicated by arrow “A” in FIG. 7, the proximal wall 134a of the spindle 124 urges the slidable member 126 distally and through the first portion 138a of the channel 138 of each of the first and second shafts 136a, 136b. Since the pusher bar 128 is fixed to the slidable member 126, the pusher bar 128 also moves distally, whereby the pusher 144 (FIG. 12) of the distal portion 128b of the pusher bar 128 carries or pushes the distal-most surgical clip “DC” of the surgical clips “C” through the clip channel 156 in a distal direction until the distal-most surgical clip “DC” is disposed proximate the pair of jaws 120, signifying the conclusion of the first distal movement of the spindle 124, slidable member 126, and pusher bar 128.

After completion of the first distal movement of the spindle 124, the spindle 124 undergoes a second distal advancement or movement, via actuation of the handle assembly 200 or the control 1004 (FIG. 13), during which the slidable member 126 engages the ramped portion 140a of each of the first and second shafts 136a, 136b, as shown in FIG. 8. As the slidable member 126 engages the ramped portion 140a, the slidable member 126 is cammed or moved upwardly and into both the distal region 138c of the channel 138 of each of the first and second shafts 136a, 136b and the first portion 132a of the channel 132 of the spindle 124, as shown in FIG. 9.

Upon the slidable member 126 entering the distal region 138c of the channel 138 of the first and second shafts 136a, 136b, the pusher 144 (FIG. 12) of the pusher bar 128 positions the distal-most clip “DC” between the pair of jaws 120. With the slidable member 126 captured within both the distal region 138c of the channel 138 of the first and second shafts 136a, 136b and the first portion 132a of the channel 132 of the spindle 124, a third distal movement of the spindle 124 does not result in axial movement of the slidable member 126. As such, while the spindle 124 moves distally acting on the jaw cam closure wedge 146 to approximate the jaws 120 to form the distal-most surgical clip “DC,” the pusher 144 of the pusher bar 128 remains engaged with the distal-most surgical clip “DC” due to the slidable member 126 being axially restrained within both the distal region 138c of the channel 138 of the first and second shafts 136a, 136b and the first portion 132a of the channel 132 of the spindle 124.

To reset the clip applier 10, the spindle 124 is retracted proximally, in the direction indicated by arrow “B” in FIG. 10, within the outer tube 122 and out of engagement with the jaws 120 to allow the jaws 120 to expand (due to their own spring bias) to their open configuration. Proximal movement of the spindle 124 relative to the slidable member 126 and the pusher bar 128 is continued until the distal wall 134b of the proximal portion 124a of the spindle 124 contacts the slidable member 126, as shown in FIG. 10. As such, a continued proximal retraction of the spindle 124 results in the slidable member 126 and the attached pusher bar 128 moving downwardly and proximally along the ramped portion 140a of the first and second shafts 136a, 136b, and positioning the slidable member 126 in both the second portion 132b of the channel 132 of the spindle 124 and the first portion 138a of the channel 138 of each of the shafts 136a, 136b. Upon moving the slidable member 126 proximally, the pusher 144 of the pusher bar 128 is removed from between the jaws 120, resetting the clip applier 10. In addition, the biasing member that interconnects the slidable member 126 and the fixed pin 142 assists in retracting the slidable member 126.

It is contemplated, and within the scope of the present disclosure, that other endoscopic assemblies, including a pair of jaws having a unique and diverse closure stroke length thereof, may be provided with a drive assembly, similar to any of the drive assemblies described herein, for accommodating and adapting the closure stroke length for the pair of jaws thereof to the constant trigger stroke length.

Accordingly, various endoscopic assemblies, constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure, may be provided which are also capable of firing or forming or closing surgical clips of various sizes, materials, and configurations, across multiple platforms for multiple different manufactures.

Surgical instruments such as the clip appliers described herein may also be configured to work with robotic surgical systems and what is commonly referred to as “Telesurgery.” Such systems employ various robotic elements to assist the surgeon and allow remote operation (or partial remote operation) of surgical instrumentation. Various robotic arms, gears, cams, pulleys, electric and mechanical motors, etc. may be employed for this purpose and may be designed with a robotic surgical system to assist the surgeon during the course of an operation or treatment. Such robotic systems may include remotely steerable systems, automatically flexible surgical systems, remotely flexible surgical systems, remotely articulating surgical systems, wireless surgical systems, modular or selectively configurable remotely operated surgical systems, etc.

The robotic surgical systems may be employed with one or more consoles that are next to the operating theater or located in a remote location. In this instance, one team of surgeons or nurses may prep the patient for surgery and configure the robotic surgical system with one or more of the instruments disclosed herein while another surgeon (or group of surgeons) remotely controls the instruments via the robotic surgical system. As can be appreciated, a highly skilled surgeon may perform multiple operations in multiple locations without leaving his/her remote console which can be both economically advantageous and a benefit to the patient or a series of patients.

The robotic arms of the surgical system are typically coupled to a pair of master handles by a controller. The handles can be moved by the surgeon to produce a corresponding movement of the working ends of any type of surgical instrument (e.g., end effectors, graspers, knifes, scissors, etc.) which may complement the use of one or more of the embodiments described herein. The movement of the master handles may be scaled so that the working ends have a corresponding movement that is different, smaller or larger, than the movement performed by the operating hands of the surgeon. The scale factor or gearing ratio may be adjustable so that the operator can control the resolution of the working ends of the surgical instrument(s).

The master handles may include various sensors to provide feedback to the surgeon relating to various tissue parameters or conditions, e.g., tissue resistance due to manipulation, cutting or otherwise treating, pressure by the instrument onto the tissue, tissue temperature, tissue impedance, etc. As can be appreciated, such sensors provide the surgeon with enhanced tactile feedback simulating actual operating conditions. The master handles may also include a variety of different actuators for delicate tissue manipulation or treatment further enhancing the surgeon's ability to mimic actual operating conditions.

Referring to FIG. 12, a medical work station is shown generally as robotic system or work station 1000 and generally may include a plurality of robot arms 1002, 1003; a control device 1004; and an operating console 1005 coupled with control device 1004. Operating console 1005 may include a display device 1006, which may be set up in particular to display three-dimensional images; and manual input devices 1007, 1008, by means of which a person (not shown), for example a surgeon, may be able to telemanipulate robot arms 1002, 1003 in a first operating mode.

Each of the robot arms 1002, 1003 may include a plurality of members, which are connected through joints, and an attaching device 1009, 1011, to which may be attached, for example, the shaft assembly 100 of FIGS. 1-11, in accordance with any one of several embodiments disclosed herein, as will be described in greater detail below.

Robot arms 1002, 1003 may be driven by electric drives (not shown) that are connected to control device 1004. Control device 1004 (e.g., a computer) may be set up to activate the drives, in particular by means of a computer program, in such a way that robot arms 1002, 1003, their attaching devices 1009, 1011 and thus the shaft assembly 100, execute a desired movement according to a movement defined by means of manual input devices 1007, 1008. Control device 1004 may also be set up in such a way that it regulates the movement of robot arms 1002, 1003 and/or of the drives.

Medical work station 1000 may be configured for use on a patient 1013 lying on a patient table 1012 to be treated in a minimally invasive manner by means of the shaft assembly 100. Medical work station 1000 may also include more than two robot arms 1002, 1003, the additional robot arms likewise being connected to control device 1004 and being telemanipulatable by means of operating console 1005. A surgical end effector, such as, for example, the shaft assembly 100 (FIGS. 1-11), may also be attached to the additional robot arm. Medical work station 1000 may include a database 1014, in particular coupled to with control device 1004, in which are stored, for example, pre-operative data from patient/living being 1013 and/or anatomical atlases.

Reference is made herein to U.S. Pat. No. 8,828,023, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference, for a more detailed description of the construction and operation of an exemplary robotic surgical system.

It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the present disclosure. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the disclosure. Accordingly, the present disclosure is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances. The embodiments described with reference to the attached drawing figures are presented only to demonstrate certain examples of the disclosure. Other elements, steps, methods and techniques that are insubstantially different from those described above and/or in the appended claims are also intended to be within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

1. An apparatus for application of surgical clips to body tissue, the apparatus comprising:

a handle assembly; and
a shaft assembly selectively connectable to the handle assembly and actuatable upon actuation of the handle assembly, the shaft assembly including: a pair of jaws movable between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position; an elongated spindle having a proximal portion configured to be coupled to an actuator of the handle assembly, and a distal portion operably coupled to the pair of jaws to selectively approximate the pair of jaws during distal movement of the spindle, the spindle defining a longitudinally-extending channel having a first portion, and a second portion extending at a non-zero angle relative to the first portion; a first shaft disposed alongside the spindle and defining a longitudinally-extending channel having a first portion, and a second portion extending at a non-zero angle relative to the first portion of the channel of the first shaft; a slidable member extending through each of the channels of the spindle and the first shaft, wherein a first distal movement of the spindle relative to the first shaft moves the slidable member with the spindle and through the first portion of the channel of the first shaft, and a second distal movement of the spindle relative to the first shaft moves the slidable member with the spindle and into the second portion of the channel of the first shaft and the first portion of the channel of the spindle, such that a third distal movement of the spindle relative to the first shaft moves the spindle distally relative to the slidable member; and a pusher bar having a proximal portion fixedly coupled to the slidable member, and a distal portion configured to load a distal-most surgical clip into the pair of jaws during distal movement of the slidable member, via the first distal movement of the spindle, and remain in a distally advanced position during approximation of the pair of jaws.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first portion of the channel of each of the spindle and the first shaft has a linear configuration and extends parallel to a longitudinal axis defined by the spindle, and the second portion of the channel of each of the spindle and the first shaft extends at a non-parallel angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the spindle.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the shaft assembly further includes a second shaft disposed on an opposite side of the proximal portion of the spindle as the first shaft and being fixedly coupled to the first shaft, the second shaft defining a longitudinally-extending channel in mirrored relation with the channel of the first shaft, wherein the slidable member has a first end portion movably disposed within the channel of the first shaft, and a second end portion movably disposed within the channel of the second shaft.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first portion of the channel of the spindle defines a first plane, and the first portion of the channel of the first shaft defines a second plane offset from the first plane of the first portion of the channel of the spindle.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein at least a distal region of the second portion of the channel of the first shaft is coplanar with the first plane of the first portion of the channel of the spindle.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second portion of the channel of the spindle has a proximal limit defined by a proximal wall, the proximal wall configured to contact the slidable member during the first distal movement of the spindle to distally move the slidable member relative to the first shaft.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the second portion of the channel of the spindle has a distal limit defined by a distal wall, the distal wall configured to contact the slidable member during proximal movement of the spindle relative to the first shaft.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first shaft includes a ramped inner surface that defines the second portion of the channel of the first shaft, the ramped inner surface being configured to move the slidable member upwardly from the second portion of the channel of the spindle into the first portion of the channel of the spindle during the second distal movement of the spindle.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the slidable member is axially restrained within the second portion of the channel of the first shaft during the third distal movement of the spindle, such that the pusher bar is axially fixed relative to the pair of jaws during the third distal movement of the spindle.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the slidable member rides within the first portion of the channel of the spindle during the third distal movement of the spindle.

11. A shaft assembly of an apparatus for applying surgical clips to body tissue, the shaft assembly comprising:

a pair of jaws movable between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position;
an elongated spindle having a proximal portion configured to be coupled to an actuator of the handle assembly, and a distal portion operably coupled to the pair of jaws to selectively approximate the pair of jaws during distal advancement of the spindle, the spindle defining a longitudinally-extending channel having a first portion, and a second portion extending at a non-zero angle relative to the first portion;
a first shaft disposed alongside the spindle and defining a longitudinally-extending channel having a first portion, and a second portion extending at a non-zero angle relative to the first portion of the channel of the first shaft;
a slidable member extending through each of the channels of the spindle and the first shaft, wherein a first distal movement of the spindle relative to the first shaft moves the slidable member with the spindle and through the first portion of the channel of the first shaft, and a second distal movement of the spindle relative to the first shaft moves the slidable member with the spindle and into the second portion of the channel of the first shaft and the first portion of the channel of the spindle, such that a third distal movement of the spindle relative to the first shaft moves the spindle distally relative to the slidable member; and
a pusher bar having a proximal portion fixedly coupled to the slidable member, and a distal portion configured to load a distal-most surgical clip into the pair of jaws during distal movement of the slidable member, via the first distal movement of the spindle, and remain in a distally advanced position during approximation of the pair of jaws.

12. The shaft assembly according to claim 11, wherein the first portion of the channel of each of the spindle and the first shaft has a linear configuration and extends parallel to a longitudinal axis defined by the spindle, and the second portion of the channel of each of the spindle and the first shaft extends at a non-parallel angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the spindle.

13. The shaft assembly according to claim 11, further comprising a second shaft disposed on an opposite side of the proximal portion of the spindle as the first shaft and being fixedly coupled to the first shaft, the second shaft defining a longitudinally-extending channel in mirrored relation with the channel of the first shaft, wherein the slidable member has a first end portion movably disposed within the channel of the first shaft, and a second end portion movably disposed within the channel of the second shaft.

14. The shaft assembly according to claim 11, wherein the first portion of the channel of the spindle defines a first plane, and the first portion of the channel of the first shaft defines a second plane offset from the first plane of the first portion of the channel of the spindle.

15. The shaft assembly according to claim 14, wherein at least a distal region of the second portion of the channel of the first shaft is coplanar with the first plane of the first portion of the channel of the spindle.

16. The shaft assembly according to claim 11, wherein the second portion of the channel of the spindle has a proximal limit defined by a proximal wall, the proximal wall configured to contact the slidable member during the first distal movement of the spindle to distally move the slidable member relative to the first shaft.

17. The shaft assembly according to claim 16, wherein the second portion of the channel of the spindle has a distal limit defined by a distal wall, the distal wall configured to contact the slidable member during proximal movement of the spindle relative to the first shaft.

18. The shaft assembly according to claim 11, wherein the first shaft includes a ramped inner surface that defines the second portion of the channel of the first shaft, the ramped inner surface being configured to move the slidable member upwardly from the second portion of the channel of the spindle into the first portion of the channel of the spindle during the second distal movement of the spindle.

19. The shaft assembly according to claim 11, wherein the slidable member is axially restrained within the second portion of the channel of the first shaft during the third distal movement of the spindle, such that the pusher bar is axially fixed relative to the pair of jaws during the third distal movement of the spindle.

20. The shaft assembly according to claim 19, wherein the slidable member rides within the first portion of the channel of the spindle during the third distal movement of the spindle.

Referenced Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
3120230 February 1964 Skold
3363628 January 1968 Wood
3638847 February 1972 Noiles et al.
3675688 July 1972 Bryan et al.
3735762 May 1973 Bryan et al.
3867944 February 1975 Samuels
4242902 January 6, 1981 Green
4296751 October 27, 1981 Blake, III et al.
4372316 February 8, 1983 Blake, III et al.
4408603 October 11, 1983 Blake, III et al.
4412539 November 1, 1983 Jarvik
4418694 December 6, 1983 Beroff et al.
4471780 September 18, 1984 Menges et al.
4480640 November 6, 1984 Becht
4480641 November 6, 1984 Failla et al.
4487204 December 11, 1984 Hrouda
4487205 December 11, 1984 Di Giovanni et al.
4491133 January 1, 1985 Menges et al.
4492232 January 8, 1985 Green
4498476 February 12, 1985 Cerwin et al.
4500024 February 19, 1985 DiGiovanni et al.
4509518 April 9, 1985 McGarry et al.
4512345 April 23, 1985 Green
4522207 June 11, 1985 Klieman et al.
4532925 August 6, 1985 Blake, III
4534351 August 13, 1985 Rothfuss et al.
4545377 October 8, 1985 Cerwin et al.
4549544 October 29, 1985 Favaron
4556058 December 3, 1985 Green
4557263 December 10, 1985 Green
4562839 January 7, 1986 Blake, III et al.
4572183 February 25, 1986 Juska
4576165 March 18, 1986 Green et al.
4576166 March 18, 1986 Montgomery et al.
4590937 May 27, 1986 Deniega
4598711 July 8, 1986 Deniega
4602631 July 29, 1986 Funatsu
4611595 September 16, 1986 Klieman et al.
4612932 September 23, 1986 Caspar et al.
4616650 October 14, 1986 Green et al.
4616651 October 14, 1986 Golden
4624254 November 25, 1986 McGarry et al.
4637395 January 20, 1987 Caspar et al.
4646740 March 3, 1987 Peters et al.
4647504 March 3, 1987 Kimimura et al.
4658822 April 21, 1987 Kees, Jr.
4660558 April 28, 1987 Kees, Jr.
4662373 May 5, 1987 Montgomery et al.
4662374 May 5, 1987 Blake, III
4671278 June 9, 1987 Chin
4671282 June 9, 1987 Tretbar
4674504 June 23, 1987 Klieman et al.
4681107 July 21, 1987 Kees, Jr.
4696396 September 29, 1987 Samuels
4702247 October 27, 1987 Blake, III et al.
4706668 November 17, 1987 Backer
4712549 December 15, 1987 Peters et al.
4733666 March 29, 1988 Mercer, Jr.
4759364 July 26, 1988 Boebel
4765335 August 23, 1988 Schmidt et al.
4777949 October 18, 1988 Perlin
4796625 January 10, 1989 Kees, Jr.
4799481 January 24, 1989 Transue et al.
4815466 March 28, 1989 Perlin
4821721 April 18, 1989 Chin et al.
4822348 April 18, 1989 Casey
4834096 May 30, 1989 Oh et al.
4850355 July 25, 1989 Brooks et al.
4854317 August 8, 1989 Braun
4856517 August 15, 1989 Collins et al.
4929239 May 29, 1990 Braun
4931058 June 5, 1990 Cooper
4934364 June 19, 1990 Green
4957500 September 18, 1990 Liang et al.
4966603 October 30, 1990 Focelle et al.
4967949 November 6, 1990 Sandhaus
4983176 January 8, 1991 Cushman et al.
4988355 January 29, 1991 Leveen et al.
5002552 March 26, 1991 Casey
5026379 June 25, 1991 Yoon
5030224 July 9, 1991 Wright et al.
5030226 July 9, 1991 Green et al.
5032127 July 16, 1991 Frazee et al.
5035692 July 30, 1991 Lyon et al.
5047038 September 10, 1991 Peters et al.
5049152 September 17, 1991 Simon et al.
5049153 September 17, 1991 Nakao et al.
5053045 October 1, 1991 Schmidt et al.
5059202 October 22, 1991 Liang et al.
5062563 November 5, 1991 Green et al.
5062846 November 5, 1991 Oh et al.
5078731 January 7, 1992 Hayhurst
5084057 January 28, 1992 Green et al.
5100416 March 31, 1992 Oh et al.
5100420 March 31, 1992 Green et al.
5104394 April 14, 1992 Knoepfler
5104395 April 14, 1992 Thornton et al.
5112343 May 12, 1992 Thornton
5122150 June 16, 1992 Puig
5127915 July 7, 1992 Mattson
5129885 July 14, 1992 Green et al.
5156608 October 20, 1992 Troidl et al.
5160339 November 3, 1992 Chen et al.
5163945 November 17, 1992 Ortiz et al.
5171247 December 15, 1992 Hughett et al.
5171249 December 15, 1992 Stefanchik et al.
5171250 December 15, 1992 Yoon
5171251 December 15, 1992 Bregen et al.
5171252 December 15, 1992 Friedland
5171253 December 15, 1992 Klieman
5192288 March 9, 1993 Thompson et al.
5197970 March 30, 1993 Green et al.
5199566 April 6, 1993 Ortiz et al.
5201746 April 13, 1993 Shichman
5201900 April 13, 1993 Nardella
5207691 May 4, 1993 Nardella
5207692 May 4, 1993 Kraus et al.
5217473 June 8, 1993 Yoon
5219353 June 15, 1993 Garvey, III et al.
5246450 September 21, 1993 Thornton et al.
5269792 December 14, 1993 Kovac et al.
5281228 January 25, 1994 Wolfson
5282807 February 1, 1994 Knoepfler
5282808 February 1, 1994 Kovac et al.
5282832 February 1, 1994 Toso et al.
5289963 March 1, 1994 McGarry et al.
5290299 March 1, 1994 Fain et al.
5300081 April 5, 1994 Young et al.
5304183 April 19, 1994 Gourlay et al.
5306280 April 26, 1994 Bregen et al.
5306283 April 26, 1994 Conners
5312426 May 17, 1994 Segawa et al.
5330442 July 19, 1994 Green et al.
5330487 July 19, 1994 Thornton et al.
5340360 August 23, 1994 Stefanchik
5342373 August 30, 1994 Stefanchik et al.
5354304 October 11, 1994 Allen et al.
5354306 October 11, 1994 Garvey, III et al.
5356064 October 18, 1994 Green et al.
5366458 November 22, 1994 Korthoff et al.
5366459 November 22, 1994 Yoon
5368600 November 29, 1994 Failla et al.
5381943 January 17, 1995 Allen et al.
5382253 January 17, 1995 Hogendijk
5382254 January 17, 1995 McGarry et al.
5382255 January 17, 1995 Castro et al.
5383880 January 24, 1995 Hooven
5383881 January 24, 1995 Green et al.
5395375 March 7, 1995 Turkel et al.
5395381 March 7, 1995 Green et al.
5403327 April 4, 1995 Thornton et al.
5409498 April 25, 1995 Braddock et al.
5413584 May 9, 1995 Schulze
5423835 June 1995 Green et al.
5425740 June 20, 1995 Hutchinson, Jr.
5431667 July 11, 1995 Thompson et al.
5431668 July 11, 1995 Burbank, III et al.
5431669 July 11, 1995 Thompson et al.
5439468 August 8, 1995 Schulze et al.
5441509 August 15, 1995 Vidal et al.
5447513 September 5, 1995 Davison et al.
5449365 September 12, 1995 Green et al.
5462555 October 31, 1995 Bolanos et al.
5462558 October 31, 1995 Kolesa et al.
5464416 November 7, 1995 Steckel
5474566 December 12, 1995 Alesi et al.
5474567 December 12, 1995 Stefanchik et al.
5474572 December 12, 1995 Hayhurst
5487499 January 30, 1996 Sorrentino et al.
5487746 January 30, 1996 Yu et al.
5501693 March 26, 1996 Gravener
5509920 April 23, 1996 Phillips et al.
5514149 May 7, 1996 Green et al.
5520701 May 28, 1996 Lerch
5527318 June 18, 1996 McGarry
5527319 June 18, 1996 Green et al.
5527320 June 18, 1996 Carruthers et al.
5542949 August 6, 1996 Yoon
5547474 August 20, 1996 Kloeckl et al.
5569274 October 29, 1996 Rapacki et al.
5571121 November 5, 1996 Heifetz
5575802 November 19, 1996 McQuilkin et al.
5582615 December 10, 1996 Foshee et al.
5584840 December 17, 1996 Ramsey et al.
5591178 January 7, 1997 Green et al.
5593414 January 14, 1997 Shipp et al.
5593421 January 14, 1997 Bauer
5601573 February 11, 1997 Fogelberg et al.
5601574 February 11, 1997 Stefanchik et al.
5607436 March 4, 1997 Pratt et al.
5618291 April 8, 1997 Thompson et al.
5618306 April 8, 1997 Roth et al.
5620452 April 15, 1997 Yoon
5626585 May 6, 1997 Mittelstadt et al.
5626586 May 6, 1997 Pistl et al.
5626587 May 6, 1997 Bishop et al.
5626592 May 6, 1997 Phillips et al.
RE35525 June 3, 1997 Stefanchik et al.
5634930 June 3, 1997 Thornton et al.
5643291 July 1, 1997 Pier et al.
5645551 July 8, 1997 Green et al.
5645553 July 8, 1997 Kolesa et al.
5649937 July 22, 1997 Bito et al.
5653720 August 5, 1997 Johnson et al.
5662662 September 2, 1997 Bishop et al.
5662676 September 2, 1997 Koninckx
5662679 September 2, 1997 Voss et al.
5665097 September 9, 1997 Baker et al.
5676676 October 14, 1997 Porter
5681330 October 28, 1997 Hughett et al.
5683405 November 4, 1997 Yacoubian et al.
5695502 December 9, 1997 Pier et al.
5695505 December 9, 1997 Yoon
5697938 December 16, 1997 Jensen et al.
5697942 December 16, 1997 Palti
5700270 December 23, 1997 Peyser et al.
5700271 December 23, 1997 Whitfield et al.
5702048 December 30, 1997 Eberlin
5709706 January 20, 1998 Kienzle et al.
5713911 February 3, 1998 Racenet et al.
5713912 February 3, 1998 Porter
5720756 February 24, 1998 Green et al.
5722982 March 3, 1998 Ferreira et al.
5725537 March 10, 1998 Green et al.
5725538 March 10, 1998 Green et al.
5725542 March 10, 1998 Yoon
5733295 March 31, 1998 Back et al.
5749881 May 12, 1998 Sackier et al.
5755726 May 26, 1998 Pratt et al.
5766189 June 16, 1998 Matsuno
5769857 June 23, 1998 Reztzov et al.
5772673 June 30, 1998 Cuny et al.
5776146 July 7, 1998 Sackier et al.
5776147 July 7, 1998 Dolendo
5779718 July 14, 1998 Green et al.
5779720 July 14, 1998 Walder-Utz et al.
5782844 July 21, 1998 Yoon et al.
5788698 August 4, 1998 Savornin
5792149 August 11, 1998 Sheds et al.
5792150 August 11, 1998 Pratt et al.
5797922 August 25, 1998 Hessel et al.
5810853 September 22, 1998 Yoon
5817116 October 6, 1998 Takahashi et al.
5827306 October 27, 1998 Yoon
5827323 October 27, 1998 Klieman et al.
5833695 November 10, 1998 Yoon
5833696 November 10, 1998 Whitfield et al.
5833700 November 10, 1998 Fogelberg et al.
5835199 November 10, 1998 Phillips et al.
5843097 December 1, 1998 Mayenberger et al.
5843101 December 1, 1998 Fry
5846255 December 8, 1998 Casey
5849019 December 15, 1998 Yoon
5858018 January 12, 1999 Shipp et al.
5861005 January 19, 1999 Kontos
5868759 February 9, 1999 Peyser et al.
5868761 February 9, 1999 Nicholas et al.
5876410 March 2, 1999 Petillo
5895394 April 20, 1999 Kienzle et al.
5897565 April 27, 1999 Foster
5904693 May 18, 1999 Dicesare et al.
5906625 May 25, 1999 Bito et al.
5913862 June 22, 1999 Ramsey et al.
5913876 June 22, 1999 Taylor et al.
5918791 July 6, 1999 Sorrentino et al.
5921996 July 13, 1999 Sherman
5921997 July 13, 1999 Fogelberg et al.
5928251 July 27, 1999 Aranyi et al.
5938667 August 17, 1999 Peyser et al.
5951574 September 14, 1999 Stefanchik et al.
5972003 October 26, 1999 Rousseau et al.
5976159 November 2, 1999 Bolduc et al.
5993465 November 30, 1999 Shipp et al.
6004335 December 21, 1999 Vaitekunas et al.
6009551 December 28, 1999 Sheynblat
6017358 January 25, 2000 Yoon et al.
6045560 April 4, 2000 McKean et al.
6053908 April 25, 2000 Crainich et al.
RE36720 May 30, 2000 Green et al.
6059799 May 9, 2000 Aranyi et al.
6099536 August 8, 2000 Petillo
6099537 August 8, 2000 Sugai et al.
6139555 October 31, 2000 Hart et al.
6210418 April 3, 2001 Storz et al.
6217590 April 17, 2001 Levinson
6228097 May 8, 2001 Levinson et al.
6241740 June 5, 2001 Davis et al.
6258105 July 10, 2001 Hart et al.
6261302 July 17, 2001 Voegele et al.
6273898 August 14, 2001 Kienzle et al.
6277131 August 21, 2001 Kalikow
6306149 October 23, 2001 Meade
6318619 November 20, 2001 Lee
6322571 November 27, 2001 Adams
6350269 February 26, 2002 Shipp et al.
6352541 March 5, 2002 Kienzle et al.
6391035 May 21, 2002 Appleby et al.
6423079 July 23, 2002 Blake, III
6428548 August 6, 2002 Durgin et al.
6440144 August 27, 2002 Bacher
6461363 October 8, 2002 Gadberry et al.
6464710 October 15, 2002 Foster
6494886 December 17, 2002 Wilk et al.
6517536 February 11, 2003 Hooven et al.
6520972 February 18, 2003 Peters
6527786 March 4, 2003 Davis et al.
6537289 March 25, 2003 Kayan et al.
6546935 April 15, 2003 Hooven
6551333 April 22, 2003 Kuhns et al.
6562051 May 13, 2003 Bolduc et al.
6569171 May 27, 2003 DeGuillebon et al.
6579304 June 17, 2003 Hart et al.
6599298 July 29, 2003 Forster et al.
6602252 August 5, 2003 Mollenauer
6607540 August 19, 2003 Shipp
6613060 September 2, 2003 Adams et al.
6626916 September 30, 2003 Yeung et al.
6626922 September 30, 2003 Hart et al.
6648898 November 18, 2003 Baxter
6652538 November 25, 2003 Kayan et al.
6652539 November 25, 2003 Shipp et al.
6656193 December 2, 2003 Grant et al.
6673083 January 6, 2004 Kayan et al.
6676659 January 13, 2004 Hutchins et al.
6679894 January 20, 2004 Damarati
RE38445 February 24, 2004 Pistl et al.
6695854 February 24, 2004 Kayan et al.
6706057 March 16, 2004 Bidoia et al.
6716226 April 6, 2004 Sixto, Jr. et al.
6723109 April 20, 2004 Solingen
6733514 May 11, 2004 Miser
6743240 June 1, 2004 Smith et al.
6743241 June 1, 2004 Kerr
6773438 August 10, 2004 Knodel et al.
6773440 August 10, 2004 Gannoe et al.
6776783 August 17, 2004 Frantzen et al.
6776784 August 17, 2004 Ginn
6780195 August 24, 2004 Porat
6793663 September 21, 2004 Kneifel et al.
6793664 September 21, 2004 Mazzocchi et al.
6802848 October 12, 2004 Anderson et al.
6814742 November 9, 2004 Kimura et al.
6818009 November 16, 2004 Hart et al.
6821273 November 23, 2004 Mollenauer
6821284 November 23, 2004 Sturtz et al.
6821285 November 23, 2004 Laufer et al.
6824547 November 30, 2004 Wilson, Jr. et al.
6824548 November 30, 2004 Smith et al.
6835199 December 28, 2004 McGuckin, Jr. et al.
6835200 December 28, 2004 Laufer et al.
6837893 January 4, 2005 Miller
6837894 January 4, 2005 Pugsley, Jr. et al.
6837895 January 4, 2005 Mayenberger
6840945 January 11, 2005 Manetakis et al.
6843794 January 18, 2005 Sixto, Jr. et al.
6849078 February 1, 2005 Durgin et al.
6849079 February 1, 2005 Blake, III et al.
6853879 February 8, 2005 Sunaoshi
6869435 March 22, 2005 Blake, III
6869436 March 22, 2005 Wendlandt
6889116 May 3, 2005 Jinno
6896676 May 24, 2005 Zubok et al.
6896682 May 24, 2005 McClellan et al.
6896684 May 24, 2005 Monassevitch et al.
6905503 June 14, 2005 Gifford, III et al.
6911032 June 28, 2005 Jugenheimer et al.
6911033 June 28, 2005 de Guillebon et al.
6913607 July 5, 2005 Ainsworth et al.
6916327 July 12, 2005 Northrup, III et al.
6916332 July 12, 2005 Adams
6923818 August 2, 2005 Muramatsu et al.
6939356 September 6, 2005 Debbas
6942674 September 13, 2005 Belef et al.
6942676 September 13, 2005 Buelna
6945978 September 20, 2005 Hyde
6945979 September 20, 2005 Kortenbach et al.
6949107 September 27, 2005 McGuckin, Jr. et al.
6953465 October 11, 2005 Dieck et al.
6955643 October 18, 2005 Gellman et al.
6959852 November 1, 2005 Shelton, IV et al.
6960218 November 1, 2005 Rennich
6960221 November 1, 2005 Ho et al.
6962594 November 8, 2005 Thevenet
6963792 November 8, 2005 Green
6964363 November 15, 2005 Wales et al.
6964668 November 15, 2005 Modesitt et al.
6966875 November 22, 2005 Longobardi
6966917 November 22, 2005 Suyker et al.
6966919 November 22, 2005 Sixto, Jr. et al.
6969391 November 29, 2005 Gazzani
6972023 December 6, 2005 Whayne et al.
6972027 December 6, 2005 Fallin et al.
6973770 December 13, 2005 Schnipke et al.
6974462 December 13, 2005 Sater
6974466 December 13, 2005 Ahmed et al.
6974475 December 13, 2005 Wall
6981505 January 3, 2006 Krause et al.
6981628 January 3, 2006 Wales
6991635 January 31, 2006 Takamoto et al.
7001399 February 21, 2006 Damarati
7037315 May 2, 2006 Sancoff et al.
7041119 May 9, 2006 Green
7052504 May 30, 2006 Hughett
7056330 June 6, 2006 Gayton
7070602 July 4, 2006 Smith et al.
7108700 September 19, 2006 Chan
7108703 September 19, 2006 Danitz et al.
7141056 November 28, 2006 Manetakis
7144402 December 5, 2006 Kuester, III
7175648 February 13, 2007 Nakao
7179265 February 20, 2007 Manetakis et al.
7207997 April 24, 2007 Shipp et al.
7211091 May 1, 2007 Fowler et al.
7211092 May 1, 2007 Hughett
7213736 May 8, 2007 Wales et al.
7214230 May 8, 2007 Brock et al.
7214232 May 8, 2007 Bowman et al.
7223271 May 29, 2007 Muramatsu et al.
7223272 May 29, 2007 Francese et al.
7232445 June 19, 2007 Kortenbach et al.
7238191 July 3, 2007 Bachmann
7261724 August 28, 2007 Molitor et al.
7261725 August 28, 2007 Binmoeller
7264625 September 4, 2007 Buncke
7288098 October 30, 2007 Huitema et al.
7297149 November 20, 2007 Vitali et al.
7312188 December 25, 2007 Kiso
7316693 January 8, 2008 Viola
7316696 January 8, 2008 Wilson, Jr. et al.
7322995 January 29, 2008 Buckman et al.
7326223 February 5, 2008 Wilson, Jr.
7329266 February 12, 2008 Royse et al.
7331968 February 19, 2008 Arp et al.
7338503 March 4, 2008 Rosenberg et al.
7357805 April 15, 2008 Masuda et al.
7367939 May 6, 2008 Smith et al.
7407074 August 5, 2008 Ortiz et al.
7419495 September 2, 2008 Menn et al.
7422137 September 9, 2008 Manzo
7431724 October 7, 2008 Manetakis et al.
7452327 November 18, 2008 Durgin et al.
7485124 February 3, 2009 Kuhns et al.
7488335 February 10, 2009 Sgro
7510562 March 31, 2009 Lindsay
7552853 June 30, 2009 Mas et al.
7559937 July 14, 2009 de la Torre et al.
7572266 August 11, 2009 Young et al.
7578827 August 25, 2009 Gadberry et al.
7582095 September 1, 2009 Shipp et al.
7585304 September 8, 2009 Hughett
7615058 November 10, 2009 Sixto, Jr. et al.
7615060 November 10, 2009 Stokes et al.
7621926 November 24, 2009 Wixey et al.
7637917 December 29, 2009 Whitfield et al.
7644848 January 12, 2010 Swayze et al.
7686820 March 30, 2010 Huitema et al.
7695482 April 13, 2010 Viola
7717926 May 18, 2010 Whitfield et al.
7727247 June 1, 2010 Kimura et al.
7727248 June 1, 2010 Smith et al.
7731724 June 8, 2010 Huitema et al.
7731725 June 8, 2010 Gadberry et al.
7736388 June 15, 2010 Goldfarb et al.
7740639 June 22, 2010 Hummel et al.
7740641 June 22, 2010 Huitema
7744623 June 29, 2010 Anderson
7752853 July 13, 2010 Singh et al.
7753250 July 13, 2010 Clauson et al.
7766207 August 3, 2010 Mather et al.
7766925 August 3, 2010 Stokes et al.
7770773 August 10, 2010 Whitman et al.
7776058 August 17, 2010 Rosenberg et al.
7780688 August 24, 2010 Sakakine et al.
7793813 September 14, 2010 Bettuchi
7806903 October 5, 2010 Shibata et al.
7819886 October 26, 2010 Whitfield et al.
7823592 November 2, 2010 Bettuchi et al.
7857828 December 28, 2010 Jabba et al.
7871416 January 18, 2011 Phillips
7875029 January 25, 2011 Hausen
7887553 February 15, 2011 Lehman et al.
7887554 February 15, 2011 Stokes et al.
7892244 February 22, 2011 Monassevitch et al.
7896895 March 1, 2011 Boudreaux et al.
7901420 March 8, 2011 Dunn
7905890 March 15, 2011 Whitfield et al.
7914544 March 29, 2011 Nguyen et al.
7914551 March 29, 2011 Ortiz et al.
7942890 May 17, 2011 D'Agostino et al.
7947052 May 24, 2011 Baxter, III et al.
7954682 June 7, 2011 Giordano et al.
7963433 June 21, 2011 Whitman et al.
7967831 June 28, 2011 Rosenberg et al.
7988027 August 2, 2011 Olson et al.
7998155 August 16, 2011 Manzo
8011550 September 6, 2011 Aranyi et al.
8011555 September 6, 2011 Tarinelli et al.
8016178 September 13, 2011 Olson et al.
8021375 September 20, 2011 Aldrich et al.
8021378 September 20, 2011 Sixto, Jr. et al.
8038686 October 18, 2011 Huitema et al.
8056565 November 15, 2011 Zergiebel
8062310 November 22, 2011 Shibata et al.
8062311 November 22, 2011 Litscher et al.
8062314 November 22, 2011 Sixto, Jr. et al.
8066720 November 29, 2011 Knodel et al.
8066721 November 29, 2011 Kortenbach et al.
8066722 November 29, 2011 Miyagi et al.
8070760 December 6, 2011 Fujita
8074857 December 13, 2011 Peterson et al.
8075571 December 13, 2011 Vitali et al.
8080021 December 20, 2011 Griego
8083668 December 27, 2011 Durgin et al.
8088061 January 3, 2012 Wells et al.
8091755 January 10, 2012 Kayan et al.
8100926 January 24, 2012 Filshie et al.
8128643 March 6, 2012 Aranyi et al.
8133240 March 13, 2012 Damarati
8137368 March 20, 2012 Kayan et al.
8142451 March 27, 2012 Boulnois et al.
8157145 April 17, 2012 Shelton, IV et al.
8157149 April 17, 2012 Olson et al.
8157151 April 17, 2012 Ingmanson et al.
8172859 May 8, 2012 Matsuno et al.
8172870 May 8, 2012 Shipp
8177797 May 15, 2012 Shimoji et al.
8182529 May 22, 2012 Gordon et al.
8187290 May 29, 2012 Buckman et al.
8192449 June 5, 2012 Maier et al.
8211119 July 3, 2012 Palmer et al.
8211120 July 3, 2012 Itoh
8211124 July 3, 2012 Ainsworth et al.
8216255 July 10, 2012 Smith et al.
8216257 July 10, 2012 Huitema et al.
8236012 August 7, 2012 Molitor et al.
8241322 August 14, 2012 Whitman et al.
8246634 August 21, 2012 Huitema et al.
8246635 August 21, 2012 Huitema
8262678 September 11, 2012 Matsuoka et al.
8262679 September 11, 2012 Nguyen
8267944 September 18, 2012 Sorrentino et al.
8267945 September 18, 2012 Nguyen et al.
8267946 September 18, 2012 Whitfield et al.
8272554 September 25, 2012 Whitman et al.
8282655 October 9, 2012 Whitfield et al.
8287559 October 16, 2012 Barker et al.
8308743 November 13, 2012 Matsuno et al.
8313497 November 20, 2012 Walberg et al.
8328822 December 11, 2012 Huitema et al.
8336556 December 25, 2012 Zergiebel
8348130 January 8, 2013 Shah et al.
8357171 January 22, 2013 Whitfield et al.
8366709 February 5, 2013 Schechter et al.
8366726 February 5, 2013 Dennis
8371491 February 12, 2013 Huitema et al.
8372095 February 12, 2013 Viola
8382773 February 26, 2013 Whitfield et al.
8398655 March 19, 2013 Cheng et al.
8403945 March 26, 2013 Whitfield et al.
8403946 March 26, 2013 Whitfield et al.
8408442 April 2, 2013 Racenet et al.
8409222 April 2, 2013 Whitfield et al.
8409223 April 2, 2013 Sorrentino et al.
8419752 April 16, 2013 Sorrentino et al.
8430892 April 30, 2013 Bindra et al.
8444660 May 21, 2013 Adams et al.
8465460 June 18, 2013 Yodfat et al.
8465502 June 18, 2013 Zergiebel
8475473 July 2, 2013 Vandenbroek et al.
8480688 July 9, 2013 Boulnois et al.
8486091 July 16, 2013 Sorrentino et al.
8491608 July 23, 2013 Sorrentino et al.
8496673 July 30, 2013 Nguyen et al.
8506580 August 13, 2013 Zergiebel et al.
8512357 August 20, 2013 Viola
8518055 August 27, 2013 Cardinale et al.
8523882 September 3, 2013 Huitema et al.
8529585 September 10, 2013 Jacobs et al.
8529586 September 10, 2013 Rosenberg et al.
8529588 September 10, 2013 Ahlberg et al.
8545486 October 1, 2013 Malkowski
8545519 October 1, 2013 Aguirre et al.
8556920 October 15, 2013 Huitema et al.
8568430 October 29, 2013 Shipp
8579918 November 12, 2013 Whitfield et al.
8585716 November 19, 2013 Roskopf et al.
8585717 November 19, 2013 Sorrentino et al.
8603109 December 10, 2013 Aranyi et al.
8623044 January 7, 2014 Timm et al.
8628547 January 14, 2014 Weller et al.
8632520 January 21, 2014 Otley
8636191 January 28, 2014 Meagher
8652151 February 18, 2014 Lehman et al.
8652152 February 18, 2014 Aranyi et al.
8663247 March 4, 2014 Menn et al.
8685048 April 1, 2014 Adams et al.
8690899 April 8, 2014 Kogiso et al.
8708210 April 29, 2014 Zemlok et al.
8708213 April 29, 2014 Shelton, IV et al.
8709027 April 29, 2014 Adams et al.
8715299 May 6, 2014 Menn et al.
8720766 May 13, 2014 Hess et al.
8734469 May 27, 2014 Pribanic et al.
8747423 June 10, 2014 Whitfield et al.
8753356 June 17, 2014 Vitali et al.
8758392 June 24, 2014 Crainich
8771169 July 8, 2014 Whitman et al.
8795302 August 5, 2014 Wild
8808310 August 19, 2014 Jones et al.
8814884 August 26, 2014 Whitfield et al.
8821516 September 2, 2014 Huitema
8828023 September 9, 2014 Neff et al.
8839954 September 23, 2014 Disch
8845659 September 30, 2014 Whitfield et al.
8894665 November 25, 2014 Sorrentino et al.
8894666 November 25, 2014 Schulz et al.
8900253 December 2, 2014 Aranyi et al.
8915930 December 23, 2014 Huitema et al.
8915931 December 23, 2014 Boudreaux et al.
8939974 January 27, 2015 Boudreaux et al.
8945151 February 3, 2015 Salas
8950646 February 10, 2015 Viola
8968337 March 3, 2015 Whitfield et al.
8968342 March 3, 2015 Wingardner, III et al.
8973804 March 10, 2015 Hess et al.
8986343 March 24, 2015 Bourque et al.
8998935 April 7, 2015 Hart
9011464 April 21, 2015 Zammataro
9011465 April 21, 2015 Whitfield et al.
9028511 May 12, 2015 Weller et al.
9060779 June 23, 2015 Martinez
9084604 July 21, 2015 Litscher et al.
9089334 July 28, 2015 Sorrentino et al.
9113892 August 25, 2015 Malkowski et al.
9113893 August 25, 2015 Sorrentino et al.
9119629 September 1, 2015 Cardinale et al.
9186136 November 17, 2015 Malkowski et al.
9186153 November 17, 2015 Zammataro
9208429 December 8, 2015 Thornton et al.
9220507 December 29, 2015 Patel et al.
9226825 January 5, 2016 Starksen et al.
9232947 January 12, 2016 Brenner et al.
9265486 February 23, 2016 Hughett, Sr. et al.
9271737 March 1, 2016 Castro et al.
9282973 March 15, 2016 Hughett, Sr. et al.
9358011 June 7, 2016 Sorrentino et al.
9364216 June 14, 2016 Rockrohr et al.
9364240 June 14, 2016 Whitfield et al.
9370400 June 21, 2016 Parihar
9393024 July 19, 2016 Whitfield et al.
9408610 August 9, 2016 Hartoumbekis
9414844 August 16, 2016 Zergiebel et al.
9433411 September 6, 2016 Racenet et al.
9433422 September 6, 2016 Crainich et al.
9439654 September 13, 2016 Sorrentino et al.
9445820 September 20, 2016 Whiting
9456824 October 4, 2016 Willett et al.
9468444 October 18, 2016 Menn et al.
9480477 November 1, 2016 Aranyi et al.
9480480 November 1, 2016 Santilli et al.
9486225 November 8, 2016 Michler et al.
9498227 November 22, 2016 Zergiebel et al.
9504472 November 29, 2016 Kamler
9517064 December 13, 2016 Sarradon
9526501 December 27, 2016 Malkowski
9532787 January 3, 2017 Zammataro
9545254 January 17, 2017 Sorrentino et al.
9549741 January 24, 2017 Zergiebel
9561038 February 7, 2017 Shelton, IV et al.
9566066 February 14, 2017 Kasvikis
9597089 March 21, 2017 Menn
9642627 May 9, 2017 Zammataro
9681877 June 20, 2017 Blake, III et al.
9687247 June 27, 2017 Aranyi et al.
9700324 July 11, 2017 Mazzucco et al.
9717504 August 1, 2017 Huitema
9717505 August 1, 2017 Whitfield et al.
9724163 August 8, 2017 Orban
9737310 August 22, 2017 Whitfield et al.
9750500 September 5, 2017 Malkowski
9763668 September 19, 2017 Whitfield et al.
9763669 September 19, 2017 Griego
9775623 October 3, 2017 Zammataro et al.
9775624 October 3, 2017 Rockrohr et al.
9782164 October 10, 2017 Mumaw et al.
9782181 October 10, 2017 Vitali et al.
9808257 November 7, 2017 Armenteros et al.
9848886 December 26, 2017 Malkowski et al.
9855043 January 2, 2018 Malkowski
9883866 February 6, 2018 Roundy et al.
9931124 April 3, 2018 Gokharu
9968361 May 15, 2018 Aranyi et al.
9968362 May 15, 2018 Malkowski et al.
10004502 June 26, 2018 Malkowski et al.
10159484 December 25, 2018 Sorrentino et al.
10159491 December 25, 2018 Gokharu
10159492 December 25, 2018 Zammataro
10166027 January 1, 2019 Aranyi et al.
20030014060 January 16, 2003 Wilson, Jr.
20030114867 June 19, 2003 Bolduc et al.
20030208231 November 6, 2003 Williamson et al.
20030229360 December 11, 2003 Gayton
20040133215 July 8, 2004 Baxter
20040138681 July 15, 2004 Pier
20040167545 August 26, 2004 Sadler et al.
20040176783 September 9, 2004 Edoga et al.
20040176784 September 9, 2004 Okada
20040193213 September 30, 2004 Aranyi et al.
20040232197 November 25, 2004 Shelton et al.
20050010242 January 13, 2005 Lindsay
20050090837 April 28, 2005 Sixto et al.
20050096670 May 5, 2005 Wellman et al.
20050096671 May 5, 2005 Wellman et al.
20050107810 May 19, 2005 Morales et al.
20050107811 May 19, 2005 Starksen et al.
20050107871 May 19, 2005 Realyvasquez et al.
20050125010 June 9, 2005 Smith et al.
20050149068 July 7, 2005 Williams et al.
20050149069 July 7, 2005 Bertolero et al.
20050175703 August 11, 2005 Hunter et al.
20050177176 August 11, 2005 Gerbi et al.
20050216036 September 29, 2005 Nakao
20050216056 September 29, 2005 Valdevit et al.
20050222665 October 6, 2005 Aranyi
20050228416 October 13, 2005 Burbank et al.
20050256529 November 17, 2005 Yawata et al.
20050267495 December 1, 2005 Ginn et al.
20050273122 December 8, 2005 Theroux et al.
20050277956 December 15, 2005 Francese et al.
20050277958 December 15, 2005 Levinson
20050288689 December 29, 2005 Kammerer et al.
20060000867 January 5, 2006 Shelton et al.
20060004388 January 5, 2006 Whayne et al.
20060009789 January 12, 2006 Gambale et al.
20060009790 January 12, 2006 Blake et al.
20060009792 January 12, 2006 Baker et al.
20060020271 January 26, 2006 Stewart et al.
20060085015 April 20, 2006 Whitfield et al.
20060100649 May 11, 2006 Hart
20060163312 July 27, 2006 Viola et al.
20060173470 August 3, 2006 Oray et al.
20060190013 August 24, 2006 Menn
20060217749 September 28, 2006 Wilson et al.
20060224165 October 5, 2006 Surti et al.
20060224170 October 5, 2006 Duff
20060235439 October 19, 2006 Molitor et al.
20060241655 October 26, 2006 Viola
20060259045 November 16, 2006 Damarati
20060259049 November 16, 2006 Harada et al.
20070021766 January 25, 2007 Belagali et al.
20070038233 February 15, 2007 Martinez et al.
20070049947 March 1, 2007 Menn et al.
20070049949 March 1, 2007 Manetakis
20070049950 March 1, 2007 Theroux et al.
20070049951 March 1, 2007 Menn
20070083218 April 12, 2007 Morris
20070093790 April 26, 2007 Downey et al.
20070093856 April 26, 2007 Whitfield
20070112365 May 17, 2007 Hilal et al.
20070118161 May 24, 2007 Kennedy et al.
20070118174 May 24, 2007 Chu
20070173866 July 26, 2007 Sorrentino et al.
20070185504 August 9, 2007 Manetakis et al.
20070191868 August 16, 2007 Theroux et al.
20070203510 August 30, 2007 Bettuchi
20070276417 November 29, 2007 Mendes, Jr. et al.
20070282355 December 6, 2007 Brown et al.
20070288039 December 13, 2007 Aranyi et al.
20070293875 December 20, 2007 Soetikno et al.
20080045981 February 21, 2008 Margolin et al.
20080051808 February 28, 2008 Rivera et al.
20080103510 May 1, 2008 Taylor et al.
20080147092 June 19, 2008 Rogge et al.
20080167665 July 10, 2008 Arp et al.
20080228199 September 18, 2008 Cropper et al.
20080255413 October 16, 2008 Zemlok et al.
20080255589 October 16, 2008 Blakeney et al.
20080306492 December 11, 2008 Shibata et al.
20080306493 December 11, 2008 Shibata et al.
20080312670 December 18, 2008 Lutze et al.
20090088783 April 2, 2009 Kennedy et al.
20090182193 July 16, 2009 Whitman et al.
20090209946 August 20, 2009 Swayze et al.
20090228023 September 10, 2009 Cui
20090326558 December 31, 2009 Cui et al.
20100274264 October 28, 2010 Schulz et al.
20100318103 December 16, 2010 Cheng et al.
20110054498 March 3, 2011 Monassevitch et al.
20110144662 June 16, 2011 McLawhorn et al.
20110208211 August 25, 2011 Whitfield et al.
20110208212 August 25, 2011 Zergiebel et al.
20110218554 September 8, 2011 Cheng et al.
20110224700 September 15, 2011 Schmidt et al.
20110295290 December 1, 2011 Whitfield
20110313437 December 22, 2011 Yeh
20120046671 February 23, 2012 Matsuoka et al.
20120048759 March 1, 2012 Disch et al.
20120053402 March 1, 2012 Conlon et al.
20120226291 September 6, 2012 Malizia et al.
20120253298 October 4, 2012 Henderson et al.
20120265220 October 18, 2012 Menn
20120330326 December 27, 2012 Creston et al.
20130131697 May 23, 2013 Hartoumbekis
20130165951 June 27, 2013 Blake, III
20130172909 July 4, 2013 Harris
20130172910 July 4, 2013 Malkowski
20130175320 July 11, 2013 Mandakolathur Vasudevan et al.
20130226200 August 29, 2013 Kappel et al.
20130253540 September 26, 2013 Castro et al.
20140074143 March 13, 2014 Fitzgerald et al.
20140263565 September 18, 2014 Lytle, IV et al.
20140276970 September 18, 2014 Messerly et al.
20150032131 January 29, 2015 Sorrentino et al.
20160030044 February 4, 2016 Zammataro
20160113655 April 28, 2016 Holsten
20160151071 June 2, 2016 Tokarz et al.
20160213377 July 28, 2016 Shankarsetty
20160242767 August 25, 2016 Kasvikis
20160242789 August 25, 2016 Sorrentino et al.
20160256157 September 8, 2016 Rockrohr et al.
20160256158 September 8, 2016 Whitfield et al.
20160262764 September 15, 2016 Gokharu
20160296236 October 13, 2016 Whitfield et al.
20160338695 November 24, 2016 Hartoumbekis
20160338699 November 24, 2016 Sorrentino et al.
20170027581 February 2, 2017 Zergiebel et al.
20170049449 February 23, 2017 Aranyi et al.
20170065277 March 9, 2017 Malkowski
20170065281 March 9, 2017 Zammataro
20170086846 March 30, 2017 Sorrentino et al.
20170086850 March 30, 2017 Zergiebel
20170128071 May 11, 2017 Holsten
20170172780 June 22, 2017 Murthy Aravalli
20170238936 August 24, 2017 Mujawar
20170258472 September 14, 2017 Aranyi et al.
20170325814 November 16, 2017 Malkowski
20170340325 November 30, 2017 Baril et al.
20170340331 November 30, 2017 Hu et al.
20170340332 November 30, 2017 Whitfield et al.
20170360449 December 21, 2017 Rockrohr et al.
20180008276 January 11, 2018 Bhatnagar et al.
20180008277 January 11, 2018 Baril
20180070952 March 15, 2018 Malkowski et al.
20180116671 May 3, 2018 Prior
20180116673 May 3, 2018 Baril et al.
20180116674 May 3, 2018 Baril
20180116675 May 3, 2018 Baril
20180116676 May 3, 2018 Williams
20180168660 June 21, 2018 Gokharu
20180214156 August 2, 2018 Baril et al.
20180221028 August 9, 2018 Williams
20180228492 August 16, 2018 Aranyi et al.
20180228567 August 16, 2018 Baril et al.
20180235632 August 23, 2018 Mujawar et al.
20180235633 August 23, 2018 Baril et al.
20180235637 August 23, 2018 Xu et al.
20180242977 August 30, 2018 Tan et al.
20180263624 September 20, 2018 Malkowski et al.
20180271526 September 27, 2018 Zammataro
20180317927 November 8, 2018 Cai et al.
20180317928 November 8, 2018 P V R
20180325519 November 15, 2018 Baril et al.
20190000449 January 3, 2019 Baril et al.
20190000482 January 3, 2019 Hu et al.
20190000584 January 3, 2019 Baril
20190076149 March 14, 2019 Baril
Foreign Patent Documents
2013254887 November 2013 AU
1163889 March 1984 CA
104605911 February 2017 CN
202005001664 May 2005 DE
202007003398 June 2007 DE
202009006113 July 2009 DE
0000756 February 1979 EP
0406724 January 1991 EP
0514139 November 1992 EP
0732078 September 1996 EP
1769757 April 2007 EP
2609877 July 2013 EP
2073022 October 1981 GB
2003033361 February 2003 JP
2006154230 June 2006 JP
2006277221 October 2006 JP
2008017876 January 2008 JP
0042922 July 2000 WO
0166001 September 2001 WO
0167965 September 2001 WO
2015069719 May 2015 WO
2016192096 December 2016 WO
2016192718 December 2016 WO
2016197350 December 2016 WO
2016206015 December 2016 WO
Other references
  • The extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 07 25 3905.9, completed Jan. 29, 2008; dated Feb. 7, 2008; (7 Pages).
  • International Search Report corresponding to International Application No. PCT-US08-58185, completed Sep. 4, 2008; dated Sep. 9, 2008; (2 Pages).
  • The International Search Report corresponding to International Application No. PCT-US08-59859, completed Sep. 14, 2008; dated Sep. 18, 2008; (2 Pages).
  • The extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 07 25 3807.7, completed Nov. 7, 2008; dated Nov. 26, 2008; (11 Pages).
  • The extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 09 25 2049.3, completed Dec. 11, 2009; dated Jan. 12, 2010; (3 Pages).
  • The extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 09 25 2050.1, completed Dec. 23, 2009; dated Jan. 21, 2010; (3 Pages).
  • The extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 09 25 2051.9, completed Dec. 21, 2009; dated Jan. 28, 2010; (3 Pages).
  • The extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 09 25 2052.7, completed Nov. 16, 2009; dated Nov. 24, 2009; (3 Pages).
  • The extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 09 25 2053.5, completed Nov. 24, 2009; dated Dec. 1, 2009; (3 Pages).
  • The extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 09 25 2054.3, completed Jan. 7, 2010; dated Jan. 22, 2010; (3 Pages).
  • The extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 09 25 2056.8, completed Jan. 8, 2010; dated Feb. 5, 2010; (3 Pages).
  • The extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 10 25 0497.4, completed May 4, 2010; dated May 12, 2010; (6 Pages).
  • The extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 10 25 2079.8, completed Mar. 8, 2011; dated Mar. 17, 2011; (3 Pages).
  • The European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 05 81 0218.7, completed Apr. 18, 2011; dated May 20, 2011; (3 pages).
  • The European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 05 80 7612.6, completed May 2, 2011; dated May 20, 2011; (3 pages).
  • The extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 10 25 1737.2, completed May 9, 2011; dated May 20, 2011; (4 pages).
  • The extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 11 25 0214.1, completed May 25, 2011; dated Jun. 1, 2011; (3 pages).
  • The extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 11 00 2681.2, completed May 31, 2011; dated Jun. 10, 2011; (3 Pages).
  • The European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 05 80 2686.5, completed Jan. 9, 2012; dated Jan. 18, 2012; (3 Pages).
  • The extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 12 15 1313.9, completed Mar. 20, 2012 and dated Apr. 12, 2012; (5 Pages).
  • The extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 12 16 1291.5, completed Apr. 24, 2012 and dated May 4, 2012; (5 Pages).
  • The extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 12 16 5891.8, completed Jun. 12, 2012 and dated Jun. 20, 2012; (6 Pages).
  • The extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 12 16 2288.0, completed Jun. 4, 2012 and dated Jul. 7, 2012; (6 Pages).
  • The extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 12 16 4955.2, completed Aug. 23, 2012 and dated Sep. 4, 2012; (5 Pages).
  • The extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 11 25 0754.6, completed Oct. 22, 2012 and dated Oct. 31, 2012; (6 Pages).
  • The extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 12 18 6401.1, completed Nov. 22, 2012 and dated Nov. 30, 2012; (7 Pages).
  • The extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 12 18 6448.2, completed Nov. 28, 2012 and dated Dec. 10, 2012; (6 Pages).
  • The extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 12 19 1706.6, completed Dec. 19, 2012 and dated Jan. 8, 2013; (6 Pages).
  • The Extended European Search Report corresponding to EP 12 19 8745.7, completed Mar. 19, 2013 and dated Apr. 11, 2013; (8 Pages).
  • The Extended European Search Report corresponding to EP 12 15 2989.5, completed Apr. 9, 2013 and dated Apr. 18, 2013; (9 Pages).
  • The Extended European Search Report corresponding to EP 08 73 2820.9, completed Jul. 2, 2013 and dated Jul. 9, 2013; (10 Pages).
  • The Extended European Search Report corresponding to EP 13 17 2008.8, completed Aug. 14, 2013 and dated Aug. 28, 2013; (8 Pages).
  • The Extended European Search Report corresponding to EP 13 16 6382.5, completed Nov. 19, 2013 and dated Nov. 28, 2013; (8 Pages).
  • The Extended European Search Report corresponding to EP 11 25 0194.5, completed Nov. 25, 2013 and dated Dec. 3, 2013; (8 Pages).
  • The Extended European Search Report corresponding to EP 10 25 1798.4, completed Dec. 12, 2013 and dated Jan. 2, 2014; (9 Pages).
  • “Salute II Disposable Fixation Device”, Technique Guide—Laparoscopic and Open Inguinal and Ventral Hernia Repair; Davol, A Bard Company, 2006; (7 Pages).
  • The Extended European Search Report corresponding to EP 10 25 2112.7, completed Jul. 29, 2014 and dated Aug. 5, 2014; (8 pp).
  • The Extended European Search Report corresponding to EP 14 15 1673.2, completed Apr. 25, 2014 and dated May 8, 2014; (8 pp).
  • Japanese Office Action corresponding to JP 2011-160130 dated Dec. 1, 2014.
  • Chinese Office Action corresponding to CN 201210015011.8 dated Jan. 4, 2015.
  • Japanese Office Action corresponding to JP 2011-160126 dated Jan. 9, 2015.
  • Japanese Office Action corresponding to JP 2011-184521 dated Jan. 15, 2015.
  • Extended European Search Report corresponding to 14 18 2236.1 dated Jan. 20, 2015.
  • Chinese Office Action corresponding to CN 201110201736.1 dated Feb. 9, 2015.
  • Extended European Search Report corresponding to EP 14 16 1540.1 dated Feb. 27, 2015.
  • Australian Office Action corresponding to AU 2010226985 dated Mar. 31, 2015.
  • Australian Office Action corresponding to AU 2013211526 dated Apr. 6, 2015.
  • Australian Office Action corresponding to AU 2011211463 dated Apr. 13, 2015.
  • Australian Office Action corresponding to AU 2013254887 dated Apr. 14, 2015.
  • Japanese Office Action corresponding to JP 2013-225272 dated May 1, 2015.
  • International Search Report and Written Opinion issued by the Korean Intellectual Property Office, acting as the International Searching Authority, dated Jan. 21, 2019 in corresponding International Application No. PCT/US2018/050349.
  • European Office Action corresponding to EP 12 152 989.5 dated May 4, 2015.
  • Australian Office Action corresponding to AU 2009212759 dated May 7, 2015.
  • Chinese Office Action corresponding to Int'l Appln No. CN 201210212642.9 dated Jun. 3, 2015.
  • European Office Action corresponding to Int'l Appln No. EP 04 719 757.9 dated Jun. 12, 2015.
  • European Office Action corresponding to Int'l Appln No. EP 13 166 382.5 dated Jun. 19, 2015.
  • Japanese Office Action corresponding to Int'l Application No. JP 2010-226908 dated Jun. 26, 2015.
  • Extended European Search Report corresponding to Int'l Application No. EP 15 15 5024.1 dated Jul. 17, 2015.
  • Extended European Search Report corresponding to Int'l Application No. EP 14 19 2026.4 dated Jul. 17, 2015.
  • Japanese Office Action corresponding to Int'l Application No. JP 2011-160126 dated Aug. 10, 2015.
  • Extended European Search Report corresponding to Int'l Application No. EP 14 15 0321.9 dated Sep. 23, 2015.
  • Extended European Search Report corresponding to Int'l Application No. EP 11 25 0675.3 dated Oct. 7, 2015.
  • Extended European Search Report corresponding to Int'l Application No. EP 11 25 0674.6 dated Oct. 7, 2015.
  • Extended European Search Report corresponding to Int'l Application No. EP 12 19 3447.5 dated Oct. 19, 2015.
  • Canadian Office Action corresponding to Int'l Application No. CA 2,675,875 dated Oct. 26, 2015.
  • Japanese Office Action corresponding to Int'l Application No. JP 2015-005629 dated Oct. 28, 2015.
  • Japanese Office Action corresponding to Int'l Application No. JP 2014-245081 dated Oct. 28, 2015.
  • Canadian Office Action corresponding to Int'l Application No. CA 2,675,921 dated Oct. 30, 2015.
  • Chinese Office Action corresponding to Int'l Application No. CN 201210555570.8 dated Nov. 2, 2015.
  • Canadian Office Action corresponding to Int'l Application No. CA 2,676,309 dated Nov. 3, 2015.
  • Canadian Office Action corresponding to Int'l Application No. CA 2,676,211 dated Nov. 24, 2015.
  • Canadian Office Action corresponding to Int'l Application No. CA 2,676,547 dated Nov. 25, 2015.
  • Extended European Search Report corresponding to Int'l Application No. EP 15 17 3809.3 dated Nov. 25, 2015.
  • Chinese Office Action corresponding to Int'l Application No. CN 201210586814.9 dated Dec. 2, 2015.
  • Extended European Search Report corresponding to Int'l Application No. EP 12 17 2940.4 dated Dec. 14, 2015.
  • Chinese First Office Action corresponding to Int'l Appln. No. CN 201210586826.1 dated Dec. 30, 2015.
  • Extended European Search Report corresponding to Int'l Appln. No. EP 15 18 5362.9 dated Feb. 12, 2016.
  • Extended European Search Report corresponding to Int'l Appln. No. EP 12 19 7813.4 dated Mar. 7, 2016.
  • Canadian Office Action corresponding to Int'l Appln. No. CA 2,676,465 dated Mar. 8, 2016.
  • Japanese Office Action corresponding to Int'l Appln. No. JP 2014-245081 dated Mar. 18, 2016.
  • Japanese Office Action corresponding to Int'l Appln. No. JP 2015-005629 dated Mar. 18, 2016.
  • Extended European Search Report corresponding to Int'l Appln. No. EP 15 19 3549.1 dated Mar. 22, 2016.
  • International Search Report and Written Opinion corresponding to Int'l Appln. No. PCT/CN2015/082199 dated Mar. 31, 2016.
  • Extended European Search Report corresponding to Int'l Appln. No. EP 15 19 7251.0 dated Apr. 8, 2016.
  • Extended European Search Report corresponding to Int'l Appln. No. EP 16 15 0739.7 dated May 17, 2016.
  • Canadian Office Action corresponding to Int'l Appln. No. CA 2,716,672 dated May 31, 2016.
  • Canadian Office Action corresponding to Int'l Appln. No. CA 2,717,448 dated May 31, 2016.
  • Canadian Office Action corresponding to Int'l Appln. No. CA 2,721,951 dated Jun. 1, 2016.
  • Partial European Search Report corresponding to Int'l Appln. No. EP 16 15 0287.7 dated Jun. 16, 2016.
  • Chinese Second Office Action corresponding to Int'l Appln. No. CN 201210555570.8 dated Jun. 20, 2016.
  • Chinese First Office Action corresponding to Chinese Appln. No. CN 201410076318.8 dated Jan. 23, 2017.
  • Extended European Search Report corresponding to European Appln. No. EP 16 18 3184.7 dated Jan. 24, 2017.
  • Japanese Office Action corresponding to Japanese Appln. No. JP 2016-097807 dated Feb. 14, 2017.
  • European Office Action corresponding to European Appln. No. EP 12 19 3447.5 dated Apr. 4, 2017.
  • Chinese First Office Action corresponding to Chinese Appln. No. CN 201410008877.5 dated Apr. 6, 2017.
  • Extended European Search Report corresponding to European Appln. No. EP 17 15 3714.5 dated May 11, 2017.
  • Extended European Search Report corresponding to European Appln. No. EP 17 15 8519.3 dated May 19, 2017.
  • Extended European Search Report corresponding to European Appln. No. EP 17 15 7606.9 dated May 22, 2017.
  • European Office Action corresponding to European Appln. No. EP 11 25 0674.6 dated May 23, 2017.
  • Canadian Office Action corresponding to Canadian Appln. No. CA 2,743,402 dated May 30, 2017.
  • European Office Action corresponding to European Appln. No. EP 16 15 9324.9 dated Aug. 7, 2017.
  • Chinese First Office Action corresponding to Chinese Appln. No. CN 2014104295806 dated Aug. 31, 2017.
  • Extended European Search Report corresponding to European Appln. No. EP 17 17 3508.7 dated Sep. 29, 2017.
  • Chinese Second Office Action corresponding to Chinese Appln. No. CN 201410076318.8 dated Oct. 10, 2017.
  • Extended European Search Report corresponding to European Appln. No. EP 17 18 0570.8 dated Dec. 6, 2017.
  • Extended European Search Report corresponding to Patent Application EP 18154617.7 dated Jun. 25, 2018.
  • Extended European Search Report corresponding to Patent Application EP 18155158.1 dated Jun. 28, 2018.
  • Extended European Search Report corresponding to Patent Application EP 15877428.1 dated Jul. 2, 2018.
  • Extended European Search Report corresponding to Patent Application EP 18157789.1 dated Jul. 5, 2018.
  • Canadian Office Action corresponding to Patent Application CA 2,972,444 dated Aug. 9, 2018.
  • Extended European Search Report corresponding to Patent Application EP 18156458.4 dated Sep. 3, 2018.
  • Extended European Search Report corresponding to Patent Application EP 18171682.0 dated Sep. 18, 2018.
  • Extended European Search Report corresponding to Patent Application EP 15878354.8 dated Sep. 19, 2018.
  • Extended European Search Report corresponding to Patent Application EP 18183394.8 dated Sep. 28, 2018.
  • Extended European Search Report corresponding to Patent Application EP 18163041.9 dated Sep. 28, 2018.
  • Extended European Search Report corresponding to Patent Application EP 18170524.5 dated Oct. 1, 2018.
  • Japanese Office Action corresponding to Patent Application JP 2017-536546 dated Oct. 15, 2018.
  • Extended European Search Report corresponding to Patent Application EP 18187640.0 dated Nov. 30, 2018.
  • Extended European Search Report corresponding to Patent Application EP 18187690.5 dated Nov. 30, 2018.
  • Chinese First Office Action corresponding to Patent Application CN 201510696298.9 dated Dec. 3, 2018.
  • Extended European Search Report corresponding to Patent Application EP 18158143.0 dated Dec. 5, 2018.
Patent History
Patent number: 10653429
Type: Grant
Filed: Jul 23, 2018
Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
Patent Publication Number: 20190076149
Assignee: COVIDIEN LP (Mansfield, MA)
Inventors: Jacob C. Baril (Norwalk, CT), Brian J. Creston (West Haven, CT), Roman Czernik (Trumbull, CT), Thomas A. Zammataro (Hamden, CT)
Primary Examiner: Tan-Uyen T Ho
Assistant Examiner: Lee O Chedister
Application Number: 16/042,227
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Clip Applier (606/142)
International Classification: A61B 17/128 (20060101); A61B 17/00 (20060101);